asta x noelle

Part 3

Asta looks Acier and then back at noelle, seeing the resemblance..

They both sit on either side of her, as she turns to noelle, holding her hand..

"My baby, I'm sorry i wasn't there for you, but know that I love you so so much, okay?"

"Mother," Noelle sobs, "please don't go, I need you.."

"No, you don't, sweetie.. look at the amazing women you've become.."

"Mrs silva... I'm so sorry, u were gonna hurt noelle.. I could let that happen.."

Acier looks over to asta and smiles...

"Asta, was it? Please call me acier, and don't be sorry, dear. You protected my noelle, thank you."

Noelle looks over at asta and sees how guilty he feels.

"Noelle, I am so proud of you, all of you, don't you ever forget that.."

"And asta?"
"Yes ma'am?"

"Stay by my baby's side. You make a great team... you need each other, even if you're both too stubborn to admit it." She smiles.

They both give a small laugh and sniffle.

"I promise.."

Acier raises her hand and holds asta's face. He holds her hand as his eyes swell with tears..

"My sweet boy...."

He freezes. Asta had never gotten the chance to even see his mother, but when acier said these words, they struck his heart, like a blazing arrow, only it felt like a warm hug. For the first time, asta finally spoke to his mother, through the soul of acier silva.

Faint cheers of victory are heard in the distance..

Her body slowly starts to fade (her paladin form was the only thing keeping her alive) as she utters her final words.."I love you, my sweet child, I know you'll make me proud.."
Noelle and asta both watch as the life in her eyes disappears, and her body slowly disappears into nothingness..

Noelle, still injured from the cut on her arm and the charged attack she saved solid from, sobs as she loses her mother for the second time..

They both sit there for what seemed like an hour. Asta finally realises they should go and look for the others, and so he gets up and tries to pick up noelle.

"Come on, noelle... noelle..."

She wipes away her tears and takes asta's hand to get up. She takes one step and collapses into asta since she still can't walk...

"Woah.. hey.. you okay?!" Asta looks at noelle. She can't hold herself up, and her head falls into asta's shoulder.

"Asta.." she whispers

"Don't worry, I gotchyu.. I'll get you to Owen. He'll fix you right up."

Asta picks up noelle and wraps her legs around his waist. He jumps onto his sword and flies to the capital..